Breaking Free to Stardom

As the midnight bell chimed, the guests raised their glasses to Dylan. Amid the opulence, Alina, in a gown shimmering with rhinestones, approached him. "Dylan, this year's birthday gift—" she paused for effect, smiling radiantly as the crowd held its breath, "is me. Let's be together." Before her words settled, she rose on her toes and kissed his lips. Dylan stood stunned, accepting the kiss, but his mind drifted to a late night when Elaine, untying his tie, carried the faint scent of gardenias in her hair. He found the thought absurd, even disorienting. Before he could respond to Alina, the old caretaker pushed through the crowd, whispering urgently in his ear, "Sir, trouble! Miss Willis tied up the maid bringing her food and escaped from the attic!" "What?" Dylan's face darkened. He pushed Alina, who was practically clinging to him, away. "Dylan?" Alina's smile froze, her eyes wide with shock. He didn't see her. His sharp gaze swept to the caretaker and nearby bodyguards, his voice icy. "When did this happen? Which way did she go? Find her! Seal all exits, check the cameras! Bring her back!" Ignoring the guests' stunned looks and Alina's pale face, he stormed out of the lively banquet. The cameras showed Elaine returning to her apartment, retrieving her dog, and then vanishing. He sent people to search every place she might go, but they found nothing. Only then did he realize how little he knew about her. He had no idea who her friends or family were, or what she enjoyed doing. Dylan returned to the villa, his expression grim, intending to retreat to his study for solitude. But as he passed the garden, he overheard Alina's voice. "…Mom! I did exactly what you said, in front of everyone! And he pushed me away to chase that wretch!" Whatever Tatiana said on the phone made Alina's tone turn venomous. "I told you years ago you should've been ruthless! Let those debt collectors sell her to traffickers! Done and done! Then she wouldn't be haunting me and Dylan now!" Dylan's steps halted, a chill creeping up his spine. He had retrieved and destroyed those photos for Alina because she tearfully claimed her mother was deceived by Elaine's father, unaware he was married. She said Elaine was using old photos to slander them, aiming to ruin their reputation. But her words now suggested a different story. In the garden, Alina continued complaining, her voice clear. "Mom, this is your fault, pushing me to break into Eldoria. Years later, I've made no splash. The investors you found just took advantage of me, offering no real opportunities. Even Director Charlie wouldn't give me an audition. If I'd stayed here, I'd be Mrs. Andrews by now, and Elaine wouldn't have a chance to stir trouble!"